Thread: What does $30 get me?

Hi All,
I think I'm ready to purchase my first straight razor. I'm looking at Dovo razors. They sell an $80 Dovo Best Quality version with blond scales and a $110 version with a more embellished blade and tortoise scales. I rather like the appearance of the tortoise scales, but I'm really more interested in the functionality. Is anyone familiar with these products who can advise me on whether the extra $30 gets me a better shave, longer lasting razor, more cool points, etc?

Thanks much,
Paulson

Originally Posted by thepaulson

Hi All,
I think I'm ready to purchase my first straight razor. I'm looking at Dovo razors. They sell an $80 Dovo Best Quality version with blond scales and a $110 version with a more embellished blade and tortoise scales. I rather like the appearance of the tortoise scales, but I'm really more interested in the functionality. Is anyone familiar with these products who can advise me on whether the extra $30 gets me a better shave, longer lasting razor, more cool points, etc?

Thanks much,
Paulson

Paulson,

As it was once explained to me by an SRP vendor, the higher prices of different Dovo str8 razors is determined by the better looking or more eye pleasing scales, rather than any major difference in the quality of the blade or the steel in their manufacture.

An $80 Dovo will give you as good a shave as a $110 dollar model. If I were in your shoes, I'd go with the "Best Quality" as an entry level set with a 3" wide strop, a decent reasonably priced shaving brush, and some nice shaving cream or soap. The unit cost of the entire set will save you a few bucks and you will have everything you need to get the job done.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

Well, for $30 you can get a nice vintage blade from an antique store. Assuming you know what to look for, go for it. Bear in mind that $30 does not include the honing fee that you'll have to shell out for unless you do it yourself which isn't really recommended. So it's $50 for a vintage model, or $80 for a Dovo. If you sit in the classifieds, you can pick up a shave ready vintage for about $40.

If you want to buy new, I would second getting a Dovo Best Quality from a reputable vendor that offers razors in shave ready form, or pre-honed by a specialist. I am new to straight razor shaving myself. I purchased a Dovo Special which is more expensive. In retrospect, I wish I had bough the Best Quality as I would have more money for soaps and other things. Just my two cents from a beginner to a beginner.

Among other things the $30 gets you the sterling silver inlay.
You will not be able to tell the difference in how the razors shave between these two for at least months. Eventually you may be able to. I think I can, although it's already getting a long time since I had them.

Originally Posted by thepaulson

Hi All,
I think I'm ready to purchase my first straight razor. I'm looking at Dovo razors. They sell an $80 Dovo Best Quality version with blond scales and a $110 version with a more embellished blade and tortoise scales. I rather like the appearance of the tortoise scales, but I'm really more interested in the functionality. Is anyone familiar with these products who can advise me on whether the extra $30 gets me a better shave, longer lasting razor, more cool points, etc?

Thanks much,
Paulson

You also need a good strop. The difference
may prove better spent on the strop. The Dovo Best Quality
is a fine razor!... By putting the extra thirty into the
strop or into a professional honing you will be better served.

Nothing fancy mind you but a good solid leather strop with
a canvas (or webbing) back is important.

Do look at the Classified and the personal sites of individuals
that restore razors. I have seen some $60+/- old razors that would
more than do the job for a beginner. Nothing fancy but some
solid razors correctly honed too.

That extra money is really on the bells and whistles (gold wash, flashy scales etc..), you wont notice a real difference in the shave.

As others have said, the DOVO Best Quality is a great starter razor and will serve you well. The extra $$ would be better spent on a good quality strop or soap. The soap you buy will really make a difference to your shave, so dont skimp there..! Good quality soaps give good lather, great glide and protect your skin as you shave. A cheaper soap may not provide the same protection or glide.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I got the best quality as my first razor, and its great.
Its not that pretty, nor is it anything special when you compare it to the more expensive razors out there.
But it is a tool that does its job, and does it well.
There is plenty of time for RAD (razor acquisition disorder) to set in and get pretty or interesting razors. but the best quality is a great razor to start with.

I have a Dove Pearlex with faux pearl scales, scalloped spine, gold wash, the works. I purchased it brand new and had it honed by one of our own. It's a decent razor to be sure, but not the best in my rotation. I get the best shave from a plastic scaled Torrey I picked up at an antique shop for $25.00. Get what you pay for? It depends on what you're looking for.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

You also need a good strop. The difference
may prove better spent on the strop. The Dovo Best Quality
is a fine razor!... By putting the extra thirty into the
strop or into a professional honing you will be better served.

Nothing fancy mind you but a good solid leather strop with
a canvas (or webbing) back is important.

Do look at the Classified and the personal sites of individuals
that restore razors. I have seen some $60+/- old razors that would
more than do the job for a beginner. Nothing fancy but some
solid razors correctly honed too.

+1 on getting a good strop. Your razor and your strop are the work horses of SRS.

And, I agree with everyone on the $30 shave quality difference. You won't be able to tell.

It does not necessarily follow that if you spent the extra $30, you would get a better shave. If that were not true, you would not be able to buy an antique store razor for $30 and have it shave better than a $200 brand new razor. The $30 is in looks. I also succumbed to what you are talking about. I bought the Dovo Special because I liked the looks of the razor instead of the Best Quality. I should have spent the money on an even better strop.

JMHO.

David